Cambodia joins WTO

Cambodia joins WTO    Cambodia joined the World Trade Organization today as its 148th member, almost 10 years after it first applied.
   The WTO approved Cambodia's membership agreement at its Canc'n conference in September 2003, but the Asian country’s WTO ratification was held up because of delays in setting up its new government.
   The Cambodian Parliament finally ratified the deal in September. Following standard practice, Cambodia became a member one month after it informed the WTO.
   Cambodia originally applied to join the WTO in December 1994.
   Another 24 countries are negotiating membership of the WTO. Listed from the oldest to the most recent application, the countries involved are: Algeria, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Ukraine, Sudan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Seychelles, Tonga, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Andorra, Laos, Samoa, Lebanese Republic, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bhutan, Cape Verde, Yemen, Serbia and Montenegro, Bahamas, Tajikistan, Ethiopia, and Libya.